Emission Test (E-Test or E-Tested)
While selling our used vehicles and if we say “E-Test included” means we ensure that the vehicle is delivered with the complete E-Test along with the report.
Drive Clean is Ontario’s mandatory vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program that is reducing vehicle emissions of smog-causing pollutants by requiring vehicles to undergo an emissions test to identify emissions problems and have them repaired. Ontario Service has already mentioned below information on their website:
www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/drive-clean-test
About the test
By law, certain cars, vans, trucks, motorhomes and buses must pass a Drive Clean test before they can be licensed to be driven on Ontario roads.
The Drive Clean test determines if your vehicle meets Ontario emissions standards.
When to get the test
Generally, you need to get the test every 2 years, once your vehicle is 7 years old. Larger vehicles (called ‘heavy-duty’ vehicles) require the test every year, once they are 7 years old.
The Ministry of Transportation will notify you when your vehicle needs an emissions test, when you receive your registration renewal documents (either online or in the mail).
Used vehicles require a valid Drive Clean test pass when they are sold in order to transfer the ownership if the model year is older than the current year.
A valid test pass is not needed if you are transferring a vehicle to an immediate family member,
Regardless of this exemption, all 7+ year-old cars need to be tested for registration renewal every two years.
Test types
Depending on the vehicle, the test could involve:
- an on-board diagnostic (OBD) test (reads emissions information from the vehicle’s computer)
- a tailpipe test (measures tailpipe emissions)
- an opacity test (measures smoke density in diesel-fuelled vehicles)
- Test facilities (who can test)
Tests must be performed at an accredited facility by a certified inspector. These private operators run the test and provide you with a test report.
Test report results:
Your vehicle may receive:
- a pass
- a conditional pass or
- a fail
- a not ready result
You need to receive a ‘pass’ or ‘conditional’ pass to renew your licence plate sticker.
Types of vehicles
Two types of vehicles are subject to the test. The process and rules are different for each type.
Light-duty vehicles
- cars
- vans
- SUVs
- light trucks and motor-homes — with a gross vehicle weight rating (or gross combined weight rating) of 4,500 kg or less
Heavy-duty vehicles
- large trucks and motorhomes — with a gross vehicle weight rating (or gross combined weight rating) of over 4,500kg
- buses
Exempt vehicles
You do not need an emissions test for:
- most-hybrid electric vehicles
- light-duty vehicles with a model year before 1988
- vehicles that are plated “Historic” under the Highway Traffic Act
- light-duty commercial farm plated vehicles
- kit cars
- motorcycles
Fees
The cost of a Drive Clean test depends on:
- the type of vehicle (light-duty or heavy-duty)
- the type of test (first-time test or a re-test)
Diagnostic fees
If your vehicle fails and requires repairs, you may also have to pay a separate fee to have a diagnostic performed.
This diagnostic may be needed, if a Repair Technician has to examine your vehicle to determine why it did not meet emissions standards. Facilities set these fees.
CanPak Auto can help you in diagnostics and to prepare your vehicle for E-Testing. We can also facilitate you in getting the E-Tested report for your car from a nearby facility.
